Contending Issues in the Niger Delta Crisis of Nigeria - Journal of ...

Chapter VIII: The Niger Delta Crisis: Issues Challenges and Prospects
In addition, the problems of infrastructural development,
unemployment, human capital development, hostilities between oil
communities and companies, inter-communal and intra-communal
conflict, the problem of land tenure, displacement of persons,
inadequate compensation, poverty, crime and collapse of traditional
social values, are all challenges the government must be prepared to
accept in order to restore confidence and re-establish its authority
and legitimacy.
Furthermore, government must begin to address the latest warning on
the impending danger of oil E&P activities in the Niger Delta, that if
care is not taken, the entire region may eventually be submerged
under water on account of unpleasant climatic changes (op.cit). In
this region it was estimated that a total of 850km of coast line could
be vulnerable to sea level rise. If this happens, the lives of over 10
million inhabitants would be in grave danger.
Finally, government must accept the challenge to reassert its
authority in the region. It must deal decisively with the criminal gangs
now terrorizing the region to pave way for infrastructural development
and constructive engagement with the true representatives of the
people. In this regard, many political godfathers who arm and pay cult
gangs to terrorize political opponents and rig elections, or intimidate
rival ethnic groups must be reined in by government. And the ever
rising tide of corruption in high places must be seriously addressed,
and effectively checkmated.
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